Applying for approvals
All development and works on strategic port land (excluding some minor works) and in port waters require a development approval to be obtained from GPC.
GPC is responsible for managing development on strategic port land and is the Assessment manager for development undertaken wholly on strategic port land under the Planning Act 2016 and associated Planning Regulation 2017.
The Planning Act 2016 is the primary planning and development assessment legislation in Queensland and affords ports jurisdictional powers and responsibilities to manage assessable development on strategic port land and strategic port land tidal areas.
Some development will trigger GPC as a referral agency and other development may also trigger the need for approval under other state or commonwealth legislation, such as the State Development and Public Works Organisation Act 1971 and the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999.
Pre-lodgement Meeting
Prior to making a development application, a pre-lodgement meeting can be held with GPC’s Planning team, and/or written pre-lodgement advice obtained from GPC, or any relevant referral agency.
To request a pre-lodgement meeting with GPC or to obtain development application submission information, please complete the Pre-lodgement Meeting Request form and email to our Planning team via email.
DA Fees
GPC charges Development Application fees for the assessment and processing of development applications.
The fees are listed within the Development Application Fee Schedule for each type of application. The Development Application Fee form must be submitted to GPC with the Development Application to allow an invoice to be generated.
The fees are to be paid upon lodgement of the application material with GPC’s Planning team.
Landowner’s consent
Written landowner’s consent from GPC’s Property team must be obtained prior to making an application for any planning or development approval that relates to land owned or leased by GPC. You can contact our Property team via email.
Development application requirements
Development application requirements are described in detail in the relevant Land Use Plan and at a minimum must include:
- Being made in the approved format utilising the Development Assessment forms. Applications must be accompanied by the assessments, reports and plans required under the approved forms.
- Applications for Material Change of Use and Tidal Works are accompanied by written landowners consent for making the application.
- Include a cover letter and Planning report that will address and should comply with the benchmarks required under the Planning Regulation 2017 including relevant port Land Use Plan and Port overlay:
– GPC Land Use Plan 2012v2
– View the port overlay for the priority Port of Gladstone 2020
– Port of Bundaberg Land Use Plan 2020 - Plans of development with sufficient detail for the type of development being applied for.
- Proponents are to provide sufficient information to demonstrate compliance with relevant codes including GPC’s Development Code 2012.
A Development Application Checklist has been designed and included in GPC Resources to assist you with the lodgement of your Development Application.
For any questions or clarification of requirements relevant to your development, contact our Planning team via email.
Development Application Process
GPC follows the same process as other regulators of development, using the Development Assessment Rules for Queensland’s planning system. Below is a summarised version of this process.
For detailed process options, refer to Development Assessment Rules.
Development Decision Notices and Referral Responses
View GPC’s approval documents register for application outcomes. Documents available on this register are the Decision Notices and Referral Responses for development applications where GPC was Assessment Manager or a Referral Agency. All other relevant documentation can be viewed upon request.
Key Documents and Quick links
Key Documents
- GPC Development Code 2012
- GPC Land Use Plan 2012 v2 – Port of Gladstone and Rockhampton
- Port of Bundaberg Land Use Plan 2020
- Reef 2050 Long-Term Sustainability Plan
- Sustainable Ports Development Act 2015(Ports Act).
- Master plan for the Priority Port of Gladstone
- Port Overlay for the Priority Port of Gladstone
- Gladstone SDA development scheme
- Bundaberg SDA development scheme
- Wide Bay Burnett Regional Plan
- Central and Western Queensland Infrastructure Plan
- Development Assessment Rules
GPC Quicklinks